The Gonzo Tapes

The most striking aspect of The Gonzo Tapes: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson (a five-CD box set) is how the performance of Johnny Depp in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas exactly captured the phrasing and nuances of Thompson’s voice. If I didn’t know better I would say the recordings (Thompson dictated his travels and much of what would become portions of his books into a portable tape recorder.) were made by Depp himself, spoofing us as if he was the legend in making. Bill Murray also portrayed Thompson memorably in the 1980 Where the Buffalo Roam.
The Gonzo Tapes lets us into the world of Thompson as he parties with and observes the habits of Hell’s Angels (CD 1). A crazy sounding flute or recorder being playing during the Las Vegas trip (complete on 2 CDs) puts the listener in the same disoriented haze as Thompson and his lawyer and partner in lunacy Lazlo. Any yes Benicio Del Toro nailed that baritone too. Hearing Thompson ramble on elicits grins but then the car radio blasts forth with some typical 70s top-40 pap like “Jesus Christ Superstar” and it transports you to the car with them on their demented ride.
The set includes notes by Alex Gibney whose documentary from earlier this year (Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson) utilized the Taco Stand segment, which is heard in its nutty entirety here. Original artwork by Ralph Steadman reminds one of the impact of Rolling Stone magazine in that era. If you received a phone call from Thompson inquiring about the American Dream what would you answer?
Disc 4 includes Thompson’s sojourn to cover the Rumble in the Jungle (Ali-Foreman) in Kinshasa, Zaire while Disc 5 covers Fear and Loathing in Saigon. Listening to Thompson discuss assignments with Rolling Stone publisher Jann Wenner reminds one how many stories he never bothered to finish. Despite his penchant for phoning in work Thompson does record himself taking the last commercial airliner leaving Vietnam before it fell to the North. The Gonzo Tapes beckons repeat listens, and if you’re familiar with Thompson’s books you’ll spot noticeable landmarks.